Michael Moore defends record on veterans, telling Fox News ‘quit making sh*t up about me’

Filmmaker Michael Moore went on offense on Facebook today, pushing back at the attacks upon him over a comment he made on Twitter about military snipers by listing the multitude of ways he has supported veterans, before calling on Fox News to "quit making sh*t up about me."

Moore has become the target of conservative fans of the film American Sniper who have claimed he attacked the subject of the film, Chris Kyle, when he tweeted: “My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren’t heroes. And invaders r worse.”

Since that time Fox News hosts, television commentators Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin, and other celebrities have hammered Moore, calling him "Un-American," while pointing out that he never served in the military.

On Facebook, Moore detailed his extensive history of support for veterans, saying those who supported sending the troops into a "senseless war Iraq in the first place," are the ones who should be apologizing.

"I would like to address this one insane mantra that the right-wing has twisted my tweet into: 'Michael Moore hates the troops,' " Moore wrote. "Well, who would know better about hating our troops than those who supported sending them into a senseless war Iraq in the first place? And, for 4,482 of them, a senseless, unnecessary and regrettable death."

He continued, "Republicans and Democrats who backed this war, then you are the ones who have some 'splainin' to do. Not me. You."

Moore went on to explain that the U.S. propped up Saddam Hussein in the years prior to the invasion and that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

He  wrote "... only "haters" of our brave young men and women would recklessly send them into harm's way for something that had absolutely nothing to do with defending the United States of America."

Moore then called out Fox News specifically, writing, "I'M the one who has supported these troops - much more than the bloviators on Fox News," before listing support he has extended to veterans through the years; pushing businesses to hire veterans like he has done, raising money for wounded veterans, offering free admission to veterans and their families at the theaters he owns in Michigan, and allowing his theaters to be used free of charge to veterans groups counseling those suffering from PTSD.

Moore also noted that he is showing American Sniper at one of his theaters, writing, "I am currently showing "American Sniper" at my theater that I helped restore and that I program and help run in Manistee, MI. Not because I like it, but because, unlike the other side, I'm not a censor. I trust smart people and people of good heart will know what to do. "

He then concluded by calling Fox News and other media outlets "cowards" hiding behind "falsehoods."

"So, Fox News and the other lazy media -- quit making shit up about me! You look ridiculous. If you want to have a debate with me about the ISSUES and the POLICIES, then let's have it. If you want to debate a movie that's trying to rewrite history, then let's have that," he wrote. "But when you hide behind falsehoods and then use them to try and manipulate the public, then all you are is afraid. Afraid of me, an unarmed American, and the truth I bring along as my sidekick. Only cowards have to lie."

"Be brave. Report the truth. It will feel good."